Ventura County News Roundup

OXNARD : Council to Consider Townhouse Project

Oxnard's City Council today will consider approving a 110-unit townhouse project planned for the blue-collar La Colonia neighborhood that has been criticized by neighbors as an exclusive gated community.

The Colonia Neighborhood Council has protested the housing project, saying the wrought-iron fence and gate would segregate it from the blue-collar, predominantly Latino community.

The city's planning staff has recommended approval of the project presented by developer Standard Pacific Co. of Ventura.

The townhouses would be grouped in 22 buildings, each with up to six units, on a 10.75-acre parcel on Colonia Road, north of the intersection with Marquita Street.

The developer estimates that each three-bedroom townhouse would cost between $150,000 and $190,000, far out of reach of most residents of La Colonia.